Edit Paraphanius mento
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Name
Scientific name
Paraphanius mento
Described by
Authority Heckel, Year 1843, Bracketed
Family
Aphaniidae
Common names
Iridescent Toothcarp, Orientkärpfling
Photograph credits
All 10 credited
Summary
The iridescent toothcarp, Paraphanius mento, occurs in eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries from Turkey and Israel to Iraq an…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
70mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 2–30°C, pH 7.5–9
Hardness
10–30dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Territorial
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Ceyhan, Euphrates, Kirkgöz, Orontes, Seyhan, Tigris
Writing
Etymology
Paraphanius: from the Greek prefix para- (Gr. παρα-), meaning 'beside', and the generic name Aphanius, within which genus members were formerly placed. mento: …
Distribution
Has been recorded in various eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries although most of the fish seen in the aquarium hobby originate from Turkey. The…
Habitat
Inhabits various biotopes including coastal lagoons, marshes, first order streams, irrigation canals, small lakes and rivers and occurs in both fresh and sligh…
Aquarium size
A pair or trio can be kept in a container with base dimensions of 60 cm x 30 cm or so but as a general rule members of this genus do best when maintained as a …
Maintenance
Even for long-term maintenance a simple set-up will suffice. The most important factors are the provision of many broken lines of sight and a suitable medium i…
Water conditions
Temperature: Active over a wide temperature range of 2 – 30 °C. Artificial heating is not required in all but the coldest climates and it should be provided wi…
Diet
Omnivorous although it displays a marked vegetarian tendency compared to most congeners with a large proportion of the natural diet being composed of algae and…
Behaviour and compatibility
Its particular water requirements and territorial behaviour make A. mento a poor choice for the community aquarium. Given its rarity in the hobby the emphasis …
Sexual dimorphism
As with all members of the genus sexual dimorphism is pronounced especially when the fish are breeding when the body colour of males darkens to a deep black/bl…
Reproduction
Captive reproduction is not difficult if the tank or container is properly arranged and maintained (see 'tank set-up'). It is a fractional spawner with females…
Notes
This species has something of a confused history having been previously been considered synonymous with both A. sophiae (a separate species native to Iraq and …
References
References
3 on this profile